About a year ago, I described an exciting, effective governance tool for non-profit boards. It is BoardSource’s Board Self-Assessment (BSA). It is the best method for your board to self-identify what its strengths and weaknesses are. Then they can begin to address the issues with a laser-like focus and will be excited, because they have all contributed to this new plan.
I believe the BSA is even more important for nonprofits in today’s uncertain and unpredictable times. In my last dozen or so articles, I have discussed many models of board governance for this pandemic-driven period. You and your board have had to make decisions never previously considered, just to stay in existence. You have arrived at an operating plan for the next 6-12 months and now need to execute it with new governance and implementation styles.
The BSA lays a foundation for setting development priorities and motivating board members—individually and collectively—to strengthen the full board’s governance performance and practices. It will objectively analyze the board’s responses and demonstrate to you and to them, where they stand individually and collectively as they move forward into this nebulous, new frontier.
The online survey provided by BoardSource, the nationally recognized leader in nonprofit board governance, covers board practices and policies, plus nine areas of board responsibility: mission, strategy, funding and public image, board composition, program oversight, financial oversight, CEO oversight, board structure and board meetings. This easy, online process takes the hassle out of conducting and participating in an assessment and will provide you and the board leadership with a detailed roadmap with which to move forward.
Performance of the Board
All board members and the chief executive will be asked to assess the board’s performance by answering a series of questions based on recognized responsibilities of nonprofit boards. These questions are organized into four broad categories and 10 subsections:
- The People: Board Composition, Structure and Meetings
- The Culture: Leadership Culture and Dynamics
- The Work: Board Leadership Responsibilities
- The Impact: Perceptions of the Board’s Impact on Organizational Performance
Confidentiality – Individual answers will be kept confidential and are submitted directly to BoardSource. Only aggregate answers are shared with your board via a summary report which I will personally deliver and interpret for the board.
Do not miss a golden opportunity to give your board a clear blueprint for the future and get them re-committed. Strong, involved board governance is the key to your organization’s new future. To learn more about this amazing tool, call or write me, and I will be pleased to send you samples of the survey.
